Summer Fun!

To start the weekend off, we threw a surprise shower on Friday for Miss Shannon who takes care of Harper! Of course, I didn't end up getting a picture of the guest of honor, but these two girls were the cutest in their dresses and hair bows! 

Harper & Lyla are best buddies at school!

On Saturday, we had a fun visit with Uncle Tay at Mimi's house! He was in town from Austin/Nashville and came for a visit! Harper wore her "My Uncle Rocks" onesie and they were like two peas in a pod. Tay loves that sweet girl and she thinks he's pretty cool too :-)

I'm seeing a trend around the Johnson household. It's a laid back approach to life. My hubby and daughter both have the bug...hopefully they'll rub off a little more on me! :-) CUTENESS!!

We've had so much fun with Harper this summer. Despite the 108 degree temps, we've been able to get in the pool later in the day when the sun is going down and we can put our sun shade over the pool.   Harper LOVES the water.  She loves to take in all the sights and sounds, look at the sun reflecting off the water and kick her chunky little legs in the water.  It's just the most precious thing you've ever seen!! 

 Tummy time on the float!

 This face just  melts my heart.

Look at that cute tushie! 

I am sure this might be a blackmail photo one day when she's older! hehe

This face makes a Monday not so bad! She's having a blast at Miss Shannon's today! :-) We love our updates on our sweet girl and appreciate Shannon more than we can even describe! Can't you just imagine what she's thinking? I just can't wait to hear her sweet voice and for her to be able to tell us what she's thinking.

She's 20 weeks old and so close to being 5 months! We can't believe how fast the time goes.  More to come soon!

-Kasey

SHOTS and Rock & Roll!

Friday was not fun for our two girls...they BOTH had to get shots, although Harper had the worse end of the deal. She had to get 3 shots in her thighs and take one oral vaccine.  Kylie had to get her chicken pox vaccine so she had it easy with one quick easy shot.  


One HORRIBLE factor about Kylie's shot though is that she has to have "limited contact" with Harper for 6 weeks since the vaccine has a live virus! Talk about torture! No kissing or holding for quite a while.

So the girls got in some last minute snuggle time...

Waiting for their names to be called at Dr. Thai's! 

"Mom, I'm not so sure about these shots coming up!"

Harper had a great appointment.  The doctor was very pleased with her progress and we  decided not to start rice cereal until 6 months because she's so healthy and seems to be getting all she needs from me! Thank you God!

Here are her "stats" at 18 weeks so I don't forget:

Weight: 13 lbs 8 oz (in the 43%)

Height: 24.5 inches (in the 54%)

Head: 16.75 inches (in the 85%) 

(She has a big noggin like her Mama!)

After the doctor, we dropped Kylie off to her Mom and headed home to watch Uncle Taylor perform LIVE on YouTube from Burbank, California at the Warner Bros. Studios. We were so very proud! It was such an awesome moment and Harper loved the music!

I just can't wait for our little nugget to be able to dance to the music. I know she will be adorable and love dancing while her Uncle sings!

Saturday I had a Stella & Dot Trunk Show and got to catch up with my friend Courtney who I've known since Junior High. Her daughter Izzie is almost 16 months and she's about to have her 2nd baby in September! Busy girl!

Sunday was a lazy day filled with movies, snuggles and Bloody Mary's (well, for Jeff anyway!)  Marley literally tried to lean over and lick the straw...she thought this drink looked as good as I thought it did! Yum!

Jeff grilled steaks and made an awesome dinner complete with baked sweet potatoes! My fave! We watched the Bachelorette Finale and were so happy Emily chose Jef...I mean, how can you go wrong with a guy with such an amazing name?!? (Love you honey!)

Finally, our girl had her Austin vibe going with her onesie from 

Tay & Meliss...such a cutie pie. 

Hope everyone has a great week! 

~Kasey

One Year Ago Today

One Year ago today I came home from work on a Monday evening and wasn't feeling quite right. We were trying to get pregnant and I was aware that I was possibly a day or two late but didn't think I was pregnant.


Jeff was cleaning the pool and I decided to take a pregnancy test before taking my shower just to know for sure.  I took the test and as I sat and watched the little clock blink on the test, I was preparing my self to see "Not Pregnant".  I started doing things around the bathroom to help the time pass more quickly and kept glancing over and still seeing the blinking clock.  The whole time I kept thinking, "it's going to be negative, it's going to be negative..." because I SO badly wanted it to be positive but I didn't want to get my hopes up!


I finally thought enough time had passed and I went back to check the results. I bent down to look at the test and it said PREGNANT!! I was in shock.  I was so happy!! I went out to Jeff to see how much time he had left on the pool and he said 10 minutes or so.  I went back in and tried to think of a creative way to tell him.   But then...I couldn't stand it. If you know me well, you know I'm NOT good at surprises or waiting to give gifts, etc.  Once I have something for someone, I want them to have it.  This news was not going to stay in my mouth for one more minute.  So, I walked outside and came around the corner.  Jeff said when I came around the corner I looked like I'd seen an angel. He said my whole face was lit up and it was unmistakable.


I told him I needed to talk to him and he new immediately. I told him we were going to have a baby! We laughed, hugged, cried and couldn't wait to tell our family and friends.


Another fun, err interesting aspect of the timing...I was 6 days away from leaving on a 17 day program in California and I'd be out of town for 21 days total.  That made things a little challenging in terms of last minute doctor appointments.  I told a few work friends the news so they'd know why I couldn't help lift boxes, eat our normal deli lunch buffet or stay up late just to chat.  But, overall it was great and tiny "peanut Harper" and I enjoyed this view for the next 2.5 weeks!  

The trip was great and it helped the time pass during those first weeks when you're scared to move, trying to learn what you can and can't eat/do, etc.  Jeff and Kylie joined me after my program was over and we had a great time.  I felt pretty good although food was starting to taste funny and I had a little nausea, overall, I'd say I was pretty lucky with my early symptoms! 

We took this picture to commemorate Harper being so tiny in my belly so she'd know she was there with us... I think I was 7 weeks pregnant in this picture.

When we got back we had our first doctor appointment and got this fun first picture of our girl. (Although we had no idea she was a girl yet!)  

 This is really grainy but you can still see the general small little "peanut" in the picture and the words...

"See you in March!"

Our lives changed forever on July 18, 2011 and March 16, 2012 and we are so blessed to have our sweet baby girl! 

Much love,

Kasey

Harper is 4 Months!

Happy 4 Months to our sweet Baby Girl!

From this (at 4 days old)...

To this...

 

It's crazy how fast four months can pass.  It seems to pass faster now that I am back at work.  This past month has been busy (as usual) with lots of fun for Harper and our family!


Harper got to enjoy her first 4th of July (also Grandma's Birthday) and saw her first Fireworks, which she loved and wasn't scared a bit! Of course, we had to have an outfit for July 3rd AND 4th :-)

 Fun on July 3rd...

 Harper's Birthday Message to Grandma!

So much fun on July 4th at the Hobbs' House!

I was luckily off for almost two weeks and it was great to be off right away after coming back from maternity leave.  While I was off, Harper and I had a great time! 

We spent a day at the mall with Sister Kylie and Aunt Mikael.  The girls were showing you the best way to shop...and you got to meet Sammye, Coco and Popo's new pup. Kylie and Mikael are getting so grown up and both love Harper so much...she's going to be one spoiled little girl with so many people who adore her.

We had her first day at gymnastics which was a blast! Kate and Ashley were there and we got some great pictures of the girls...

This past weekend, we took a dip in the pool and as usual, Harper loved it.  
Especially with hew new froggy float!

Look at that cute swimsuit and her chunky knees!! LOVE!!

Harper loves her snuggle time on the couch with Daddy. He's so in love with his newest daughter and is always jumping at the chance to hold her, change her diaper or feed her when he can.  He's had a couple of one-on-one times lately while I've had girl time and he loved it so much!

Lastly, this has been Harper's favorite sleeping position for the last several weeks. We just love it and it cracks us up every time. It looks like she's on a beach some where or in a hammock just chillin' :-)

Life's a beach! At least for this little one! :-)

Now for my monthly letter...

Dear Harper,

I just can't believe you are 4 months old. Our time with you has gone by so quickly and I'm starting to understand how my parents felt when they said that children grow up too quickly...it's SO true! 

You are the most amazing baby. Yes, I know I'm your Mom so I might be biased but I really don't think so. You are so happy, expressive and easy to be around.  Your smile can melt anyone's heart, your coo's and gurgles are the most precious thing ever and we could all snuggle with you for hours!

This month you've gotten much more vocal and it's the cutest thing ever. It's like you are having a conversation with us or trying to tell us about your day.  You've also found your feet and you love to grab your toesies.  You're also very strong and holding your head up like a champ, standing every chance you get and pulling yourself to try and sit up! STRONG GIRL! You've had so much fun going with me to Baby Boot Camp where I work out and we sing and act silly and loved going back to Infant Yoga since I was off work.  You also had your first day at gymnastics which was so fun!

Mimi watched you for a full day when I had to work last week and she had a blast! She loved getting to spend an extra long time with  you and can't wait to do it again.  I loved you being at Mimi's because I could sneak away at lunch and see my sweet girl! 

You've been taking longer afternoon naps and sleeping through most of the night, usually only waking up one time around 3 am.  You also started sitting in your Baby Einstein jumper and love playing with the fun toys and blinking lights!

You missed your friends at Miss Shannons while you were gone, but we stopped by and played with them one day and Miss Shannon said you and Lyla were talking up a storm on your first day back...if we could only understand what y'all were trying to say to each other!

Sweet girl - your Daddy, sister and I love you so very much.  You are such a blessing and it's hard to even remember what our lives were like without you because you bring so much love and joy into our home. 

I'm the luckiest girl in the world to be your Mama.

Happy Four Months Darlin'!

Mom

Mom & Dad love you to pieces!!

Fun at Miss Shannon's and with the Fam!

I've been back to work for 2 weeks now and we are adjusting to our new routine.  I think the adjustment period has been so smooth because of Miss Shannon.  She takes such good care of our girl that I am never worried for a second about her. Of course I still miss her like crazy, but it helps to know she's in excellent hands!

Harper has so much fun while she's there and Jeff and I love getting updates and pictures from Miss Shannon! Shannon just told me yesterday that she is planning on keeping this group of babies through Pre-K! We are beyond excited knowing that Harper will grow up with such a loving person taking care of her - and also with the same group of kiddos! 

I think Lyla and Harper will be BFF's! :-) (See below) Lyla's Mom Monica and I know each other through my good friend Lauren. Monica is Lauren's sister. She's the one who told us about Shannon and we are so glad she did!  I love this pic of the girls staring at each other :-) Pretty soon they'll really be playing together!

Here are a few pics from the last two weeks at Miss Shannon's...

Seeing that sweet smiling face in the middle of the day just melts my heart!

Miss Shannon's isn't the only place Harper has fun! 

Last week she went to the movies with her big sister Kylie & saw Brave. A cute movie and Harper was a trooper. :-)

After the movie, we took sissy home and then went to dinner with Mom, Dad, Kris & Ty!

She sure loves her Daddy. :-)

Showing off her cute pink dress at Mimi's house 

Here's a little "Best of" Collage for Week 14...

Puppy snuggles, loving on bunny from Mimi, chillin' at Mi Cocina and fun at Shannon's - life doesn't get much better than that!

Well, that's it for now, we can't believe Harper will be 15 weeks on Friday! Jeff has been out of town for business in Wisconsin and we can't wait for him to get back on Friday. Hurry home Daddy!

MOM! No more pictures please!!! ~ Harper 

Feeling very blessed :-)

Love to all,

Kasey

Harper is 3 Months!

It's so hard to believe that our sweet angel is already 3 months old. Time sure flies when you're having fun!  I have to say that I'm pleasantly surprised at how easy Harper is. To celebrate being 3 months, we had a fun weekend!

Saturday, we went to a pool party at the Loeffler's and Harper got to show off her swimsuit and get in the pool with us for a bit.  We had a great time seeing friends and the Loefflers made some awesome food! Thanks again guys!  We'll have to do it again soon!

Sunday was Father's Day and Jeff got to celebrate being a father of TWO this year! :-) We had a fun day with breakfast, presents, Daddy and Kylie planting things in the back yard, a trip to the mall, movie time and ended the day with some NBA Finals and snuggling on the couch. We are so blessed to have such a loving, devoted Daddy who loves his 4 girls (Marley included) more than anything! Thank you for being the great father/husband/provider that you are!

Daddy & 3 of his girls...Marley is snuggled in the middle!

Hugs for Daddy in her sleep!

I am stealing the below idea from a friend (Thanks Monica, what a great idea!)


Dear Harper,


I've officially been your Mom for 3 months and my how the time has gone quickly.  This past month has been full of firsts and milestones for you.  You are such a happy baby. I love walking into your room and peering into your crib, only to be greeted by your sweet grin that melts my heart.  


I went back to work last week and it was one of the hardest things I've had to do so far, but I feel so comfortable and lucky to have Miss Shannon that it's getting easier! I love her updates on how you're doing.  When she sends me a picture of you I just can't help but smile and count down the hours until I can see you and snuggle with you again!


Since your 2 month birthday we've done lots of fun things...You got in the swimming pool for the first time and LOVED it! We went on a road trip to Houston to see the Birches and you were a trooper in the car and at the hotel...we are so blessed that you are such an easy, fun, loving baby!  You also started sleeping upstairs in your crib, such a big girl!  We also had lots of play dates with friends and Mimi babysat you for Mom & Dad's first official night out since you've been born! 


You're now holding your head up great, kicking and pushing off the side of the bath tub or on my legs .  You smile at the drop of a hat, when you hear a familiar voice, see a smile from Mom or Dad or just when you are content.  Bath time is one of your favorite times of the day and you can be tired and fussy and the second you get into that warm water, you are in heaven!  We started sitting you in your Bumbo this month and you like to sit there and play with your giraffe or rattle, or stare at Marley who is usually close by trying to steal a kiss from her baby sister!


You are the light of our lives and we can't wait to see what each next month brings - we just hope they don't go by too fast because we treasure every day with you. 


Love you precious angel,
Mom